Engine-starting apparatus



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Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,214

' J. BIJLVJR y ENGINE STARIIING APPARATUS 'original Filed Feb. 1. 1917 Patented J an. 29, `1929'.

i 1,700,214@ uNrrEn STATES PATENT o-FFlcE.

JOSEPH BIJ'UB, OF NEWl YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ECLIPSE MACHINE GOHPAN-Y, OF

HEIGHTS, NEW-YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. y

EN GIN AE-STARTING APPARATUS.

` Original application led February 1, 1917, Serial No. 145,839. Divided and this application illed September 26, 1924.

My invention relates to apparatus for starting an engine such as an internal combustion engine and the object thereof isy to provide a practical, reliable and compact means adapted to form the drive or transmission between such engine and the pr1me mover, such as an electric motor, such means being constructed and arranged to effect proper application of the starting power to the engine in eiiicient and proper manner u'nder all conditions of operation.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a 4longitudinal view partly in section of one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 a section f on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a section on the line 3 3 of'Fig'. 1; Fig. 4 an elevation of a portion of the 'drive assembly; and Fig. 5 a modified form of the end-stop construction.

While I have herein shown my invention as embodied' in a drive or transmission of the inboardform it will be understood that it is equally applicable to the outboard form and also thatpmy invention may be embodied ,in lthe indirect type of drive as well as the direct drive herein illustrated in which the driving shaft of such drive is the extended armature shaft. f The electricstarting motor 1 is' of the usual type and has an extended armature shaft 2 which is provided with screw threads 3 located at the outer end thereof, inasmuch f as the particular embodiment being described is of the inboard type. This shaft .1s provided at itsinner end with an unthreaded or lain portion'4. The drive or transmissionis in the form of a torque traIismitting `assembly or unit comprising a drivingfmember here in the form of a gear. or pinion :5` and a control member 'here in the form of anut 6 and an operating connection N between the pinion and nut, here in the form -of a barrel 7. This barrel is rigidly secured to the nut for the purpose of pos1tively trans-` mitting the motion of rotation from the nut or movable abutment to the pinio The pinion 5 has a smooth or unthreaded bore and is adapted to slide upon .the plainor unthreaded portion 4 of the shaft 2. The nut 6 is threaded upon Lthe threads of -the shaft'2 with the result that,by reason of the rotation of the armature shaft, the nut and consequently the barrel and pinion have a,

longitudinal movement on the .shaftand a rotary movement therewith. 4By reason of Serial No. 739,986.

such longitudinal movement the' brought into engagement/or mesh with a gear or member of the engine .to be'started, which member in the present instance is a fly wheel 8, having teeth -9 and provided with the usual sha-ft 8". e c Between the nut 6 and the piniony 5 there 1s lnterposed a coil spring 10 which by preference bears at its inner end against a ring 11 secured to the pinion instead of bearing againstA the pinion direct. This spring surrounds the shaft 2 and is in turn surrounded by the barrel 7..

The Shaft 2 is provided'intermediate itsl length between its plain portion andthe with the threaded portion thereof, t ereare .located a number of dished washers 16. In -this particular case, six washers are shown arran ed in three pairs, the members of each pair aving their concavities facing each other.l Itis obvious that adierent number and diferent arrangement lorf such washers might be used to advantage, but this particular arrangement is of special utility.

Thebarrel 7 ,not only contains the spring 10 and the washers 16, but also forms the operating or driving connection between the nut 6and the pinion 5, the same being rigidly connected with one of themand loose connected with.the other.' Forrthis purpose and in the present instance, the inturned for'- ward end 17 of the barrel is provided with al central opening with radiating serrations or teeth 18 corresponding in number and size to the teeth of the pinion and interlocking therewith, whereby the pinion may be positively rotated by the barrel, but such barrel may have longitudinal movement with jrespect thereto.

Thenut barrel 7 by any desired means, preferably by pinion is 6 is directly connected with vthe' the cooperation of lugs integral with the nut V i and slots in the barrel, whereby` there is a positive unyielding drive between the nut`` and the pinion. As herein shown the nut 6 is rigidly: but detachably secured or con` nected with the barrel. 7 by interlocking therewith in the manner indicated in Figs.

Yso'

1 and 3. The barrel is provided at its righthand end with longitudinally extending projections or tongues 19 between which t corresponding projections 2O of the periphery of the flange 21 of the nut. In order to keep these parts in place a cap ring 22 is provided, the same fitting upon the right hand end of the barrel and having an inturned marginal flange which bea-rs against the right hand face of the flange 21 of the nut. The projections or tongues 19 extend through corresponding slots 23 in the ring 22 and have openings 24 adjacent its outer end as shown in Fig. 4. A spring metal split ring 25, having small lugs 26 on its outer periphery adapted to register with the openings 24, 1s

snapped in place with such lugs fitting in said openings firmly to lock the ring 22 in position. I

The end-stop arrangement shown in Fig. l comprises more particularly a coiled spring 27 which is carried by the torque transmitting mechanism or assembly. This spring surronnds the sleeve portion of the nut 6 and` is'at one yend in abutting relation to the right hand face of the flange 21 of such nut, and at its other end presses against a ring 28. This latter ring is in slidable relation with respect to the nut yand is limited against movement off the nut by a stop ring 29, secured preferably in a groove in the sleeve of the nut, such spring 27 tending to hold the ring 28 against the stop ring 29. The end-stop 30, which is preferably screw threaded and pinned to the shaft, has a longitudinal flange 31'eXten'ding substantially parallel to the shaft and surrounding the end-stop 30, positively to limit the movement. of the ring 28 before the nut in its movement away from the fly wheel has reached the end of its path, thereby causing compression of rthe spring 27, with consequent eective taking up of the shock of impact and perform-v ance of other functions.

It is to be noted that, as shown in Fig. 1, the bore of the nut 6 is unthreaded at 32 for a small distance from the side adjacent the dished Washers 16, and said bore is of a diameter large -enough to enable this en'd of the nut to telescope over that portion of the shaft bearing said washers, thereby compressing them, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

-In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of end-stop arrangement which may be used to advantage, particularly in the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 1. In this form one end of a coil spring 33 is maintained within an annular depression 34 in the end-stop 35,. which stop is secured to the shaft 2 in any desired manner, as by threading and pinning the same thereto. The nut 6 has an an# nular depression 36 which forms an eective seat for the other end of the spring 33, whereby the moving parts are cushioned by the compression of the spring when the nut apin 1, and for the same purpose as in said figure.

Describing a cycleof operation and starting with the` parts in their normal position as shown in Fig. 1, when the starting switch is closed andthe motor and its extended shaft 2 are set in rotation, the entire drive assembly will travel longitudinally along the shaft, (in the present instance inwardly towards the motor) because of the inertia of such assembly and: because of the friction due to the spring 27 and the ring 28 and adjoining parts, all of which will tend to prevent the nut 6 from rot-ating. The nut 6 will thus travel substantially longitudinally along the shaft, carrying with it such assembly, that is, the combined shifting and torque transmit ting mechanism, and in particular pushing the gear or pinion 5 through the spring 10 along thesmooth portion 4 of the shaft 2 and into mesh with the gear or teeth 9 of the flywheel. `When the teeth of the pinion are properly alined with the spaces between the fly wheel teeth, the pinion will thus be pushed into full mesh with the gear or fly wheel, this action causing a compression of the light spring 37 which is interposed between the pinion 5 and the motor frame. During this operation the nut 6 is moved comparatively rapidly until it is yieldingly arrested by the 'dished washers 16, which happens substantially simultaneously with the full meshing of the gears. The shock due to the impact of the nut against the washers is gradually absorbed and such washers will be compressed until the nut binds upon and becomes locked tothe shaft, whereupon the pinion will be rotated by such nut through its flange 21 and barrel 7, and consequently the fly wheel will in turn be rotated. Y

After the engine has started on its own power, it drives the pinion at a speed greater than that at which the motor drives it, whereupon the nut will overrun the turning shaft 2 and the nut will have" a longitudinal com ponent of movement towards the motor and will carry with it its attached parts. The entire drive assembly thus moves out of mesh with the fly wheel and longitudinally of the shaft until such movement is arrested yieldingly by the spring 27. The nut continues its motion causing its sleeve portion to slide within the ring 28 and the spring 27 to be compressed. The outer end of such nut finally contacts 'the stop 30 but the shock of impact thereagainst is prevented or relie-ved by the action of the spring 27.

By the use of the spring 37, the objectionable butting of teeth between the gears when the engine is'started at low speed is prevented by reason ofthe fact that some longitudinal pressure is'transmitted through the pinina manner now to be described.V 'Assuming the parts to be 1n the posltionshown '1n Fig. 1, except; that the assembly'has moved'A longitudinally and that the teeth of the gears are in butting relation, thenut will continue traveling longitudinally towards the Hy wheel, partially compressing thelspring l0 'pao until such time as the nut will bind on the screw'thre'ad's 4of the shaft with such force',l that torquel is transmitted from` the screw shaft through the nut and barrel'to turn the pinion. The instant the teeth are turned into proper alinement,.the compressed spring'lQ- will expand rapidly lto urge the lpinion into full mesh with the Hy Wheel gear, after which# normal operation takes place. In this opera? tion the longitudinal travel of the nut on the screw shaft will ordinarily be such as not to -rechthe' dished washers, but this may hap;V pen in a severe case of buttirng'. However, in

" each case, the resulting action will bethe.

same, that is, the final slight rotary movement ofthe pinion to relieve the. buttmg and enforce meshing with the Hy wheel. y

It will thus be'seen that there is herein described an apparatus in which the several -features 'of this invention are embodied and'which 'apparatus in its action attains the various objects of` the invention and' is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

1. In astarter for gas engines and the like,

a drive comprising a rotatable shaft,1a d-ri'vl ing member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and Vrotary movement therewith and adapted to cooperate with and drive a member of the engine to be started, a

rcontrol member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and' a drlvmg connection between such members, such c'onnectlon lbeing rigidly secured to one of the members and connected with the other member for relative longitudinal movement. v

2. In a starterl for gas engines and the like, a drive comprising a rotatable s haft,'a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted-to cooperate with and drive a member of the ,engine to be started, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, anda driving connection between such members, such connection being rigidly secured to the control member and connected with the driving member for relative longitudinal movement.

In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive comprising a rotatable shaft,-a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to cooperate with and drive a member of the engine to be started, 'a control .member mounted on said'shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, a spring'between said two members, and a barrel surroundingsaid spring and forming the driving connection between said members, such barrel being rigidly -secured tothe control member and connected with thel driving member for relative longitudinal movement.

, 4.- Ina 'starter for gas engines and the like, a .drive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to cooperate with and drive amember of the engine to be started, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and thereon, and a positive driving yconnection between said two members. I

i, 5. In a starter for gas engines and the like, adrive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to cooperate with and drive a member of the engine to be started,

a control member mounted von said shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and a barrel rigidly secured to the cont-rol member "and connected with the driving member for rotating it and for Alongitudinal movement Awith respect thereto.

'6. In a starter for gas engines and the like, drive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement ythereof and rotary movementi therewith and adapted to cooperate with and drive a member of the engine to be started, a control member mounted on said sha-ft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and having a Hange, and a barrel rigidly secured to such Hangeand connected. with the driving member for rotating it and for longitudinal movement-With respect thereto.

7 In a starterfor gas engines and the like, i

a drive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement with respect thereto andv rotary movement therewith and adapted to cooperate with-and drive a member of the-engine to be' started, a control member in the forml ofva nut threaded on theshaft for longitudinal nut threaded on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, said shaft having screw threads at one end and being smooth at the other end with an intermediate smooth portion of lesser diameter, a yielding means located on such intermediate portion and in the path of said nut, and a driving connection located be-v tween said two members and rigidly secured to one of them.

9. In a staiter for gas engines and the like, a drive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement wiotli respect thereto and rotary movement therewith and adapted to coo erate with and drive a member of the engine to be started, a control member in the form of a nut threaded onl the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, said shaft having screw threads atone end and lbeing smooth at the other end with an intermediate smooth portion of lesser diameter, a series of dished washers located on such intermediate portion and in the path of said nut, and a driving connection located between said two members and rigidly secured to one vof them.

10. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to cooperate with and drive a member of the engine to be started, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement' therewith, a spring between said two members, and a barrel surrounding said spring and forming the driving connection between said members, such barrel being rigidly secured to the control member and loosely connected with the driving member, said spring bearing at one end directly against the control member.

11. yEngine 4starter mechanism, comprising a driven shaft having a gear secured thereto, a driving shaft provided with a threaded portion, a pinion having an unthreaded bore, said pinion normally being out of mesh with the gear, means for causing the pinion to mesh with the gear, lcomprising an abutment member having threaded engagement with the threaded portion of the driving shaft, and means for positively transsaid pinion having an unthi'eaded boi'e, and i a threaded abutment member engaging the aforesaid threaded portion and movable axially of the driving shaft, whereby to cause the pinion tol move into `mesh with the gear alndf positively to rotate with the driving s ia t.

13. In a 'starter for gas engines andthe like, a drive comprising a rotatable screw shaft, a driving' member in the kform of a pinion' capable of rotary and longitudinal movements, a screw member threaded on the shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof and controlling the movements of the pinion, and a driving connection for positive rotary 'driving between such member and pinion.

14. In a starter for gas engines and `the like, a drive comprising a rotatable' screw shaft, a driving member in the form loffa pinion capable of rotary and longitudinal movements, a screw member threaded on the shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof and controlling the movementofthe pinion, and a driving connect-ion between such members, such connection being'rigid with on`e of the members and being loosely connected with the other member. l Y

15. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive comprising a rotatable screw shaft', a driving member in the form of a pinion capable of rotary and longitudinal movements', a screw member threaded on the shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof and controlling the movements of the pinion, and a driving connection between such members, such connection being rigid with the control member and connected loosely with the pinion.

16. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movementV thereof and rotary movement therewith and adapted to cooperate with and drive a memberiof the engine to be started,

'a control member mounted on said shaftifor longitudinal movement thereof and ,rotary movement therewith, a driving connection between said two members, and throwout cushioning lmeans comprising a coiled spring encircling a portion of the control member and bearing at one end thereagainst, and a ring which is slidably mounted on such portion f the control member and against which the other end of the spring bears.

17. In a starter for gas engines and the like, a drive comprising a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for loning connection between saidI two lmem-Kl bers, said control being `in the form of a sleeve nut having a radial flange at one end,

and throw out .cushioning means comprising a coiled spring encirclingsuch nut and bearing at one end against the flange, a ring which is s lidably mounted on the nut and against which the other end` of the spring bears, `and a stop which is secured to the shaft and which ias a hollow portion whose end is contacted by the ring and into which the nut travels.

18. A drive for engine starters comprising a rotatable shaft a control member mounted thereon for longitudinal vand rotary movement, and a driving member adapted to coopera-te with and drive a member of the engine, to be started'and mounted on said sha-ft in tandem relationship with the control member, said control and driving members being connected rigidly with respectto their rotarial lmovements.

` 19. A drive for engine starters comprising a rotatable shaft a control member mountedthereon for longitudinaland rotary movement, and a driving member adapted to cooperate withand drive a'member of the engine to be started and mounted on said shaft in tandem relationship with the control memp 35 ber, said members being` connected rigidly with respect to rotarial movement and yiel ingly with respect tolongitudinal movement. 20. A drive for engine starters comprising a control member mounted for longitudinal 40 and rotary Vmovement, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive a member of the-engine to be started and mounted in tandem relationship with the control member, and a barrel rigidly rotarily connect# ing such members.

21.. A drive for engine starters comprising a control menber mounted for longitudinal and, rotary A movement, a` driving member adapted tocooperate with and drive a meml '50 ber of the engine to be started and mounted .in tandem relationship with the control member, and a barrel rigidly rotarily connecting suchmembers and-arranged to permit the barrel and driving member to have a relative longitudinal movement.

' 22. A drive for engine starters comprising a control member mounted for longitudinal and rotary movement, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive a mem- I movements, and means for connectingsuch member mounted on the shaft for longitudi- 1 starting operation.

berof the engine to be started and mounted 00 in tandem relationship with the control member, a barrel rigidly rotarily connecting such members, and a lyielding means contained withinvthe barrel and tending 'to resist the longitudinal movement of the control ymember subsequent Kto itsl initial longitudinal movement,

23. A 'drive for enginestar'ters comprising a rotatable driving shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal and'rotary move- 70 `ment/'and adapted to engagey and drive a,

member of the vengine to be started, a control member mounted onfthe shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movementl therewith and arranged in tandem relationship with the 'drive member, said driving and control members being connected rigidly with respect to their'rotarial movements, and means for connecting such shaft and control member whereby rotation of the shaft will cause movement of the control member and driving member longitudinally of the shaft. 24. A drive for en ine starters comprising a rotatable drivin s aft, a driving member mounted forr longitudinal and rotary movement and adapted to(v engage and drive a member of the. engine to be started, ar control v member mounted on the shaft for longitudinalmovement thereof and rotary movement' therewith and arranged in tandem relationship with the drive member, a barrel connecting said driving and control members rigidly with respect to their rotarial movements and`yieldingly with respect .to longitudinal shaft and control member whereby rotation ofthe shaft will cause movement of the control member and driving member longitudinally of the shaft. 1

25. A drive for engine starters comprising a rota-table driving shaft, a driving member mounted for lon itudinal and rotarymovement and adapter? to engage anddrive a member of the engine to be started, a control nal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and arranged in tandem'relationship with the drive member, a barrel connecting said driving and control members rigidly with respect to their rotarial movements' and yieldingly with respect tolongitudinal movements, a spring contained within-the barrel and encircling the'shaft and ten-ding to re sist the longitudinal travel of the control member Valong the shaft subsequent to its initial longitudinalmovement thereon in the JOSEPH BUUR. 

